Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC — President Donald Trump has announced a new security agreement involving the United States, Denmark and Greenland that would expand the U.S. military presence on the strategically important Arctic island and give Washington long-term security access. Trump announced the agreement on September 18, describing it as providing the United States with “permanent control” over Greenland’s security and saying it would address Washington’s national security concerns. He also said the United States would begin developing plans for a larger military presence on the island.

The agreement does not transfer Greenland’s sovereignty to the United States. Denmark and Greenland said the arrangement recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark as well as the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination. The governments have also indicated that the agreement must go through the necessary parliamentary procedures before it can take effect.

The precise terms of the agreement have not yet been made public. According to reporting by Reuters, the deal would allow the United States to expand its military presence in Greenland while preventing U.S. adversaries from establishing military bases on the island or making sensitive investments there.

A U.S. State Department official said the agreement guarantees Washington permanent access, basing and overflight rights and is designed to remain in place even if Greenland eventually becomes independent. The official also said the agreement would prevent non-NATO countries from establishing military bases in Greenland.

Trump said the United States would work with Greenland’s population on the development and construction of additional military facilities. The United States already maintains a significant military installation at Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, formerly known as Thule Air Base. The U.S. has maintained military facilities on the island for decades under a 1951 defense agreement with Denmark.

The announcement follows months of tension over Greenland. Trump has repeatedly argued that the island is strategically important to U.S. national security because of its location between North America, Europe and the Arctic region. His earlier push to acquire Greenland generated strong opposition in Denmark and Greenland and created tensions with other NATO allies.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the agreement would strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic and would be beneficial to NATO and Europe. She also emphasized that the arrangement recognizes Denmark’s sovereignty and Greenland’s right to self-determination.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also welcomed the agreement, saying it recognizes Greenland’s interests and its role in international cooperation. Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and has its own government and parliament.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the agreement addresses Washington’s national security concerns and ensures that Greenland remains part of the strategic defense area of North America. NATO also welcomed the announcement, saying greater security and cooperation in the Arctic and North Atlantic would benefit the alliance.

The planned agreement is expected to be signed in New York during the United Nations General Assembly next week, according to the governments involved. It will then face the required parliamentary procedures in Denmark and Greenland.

The agreement represents a shift from Trump’s earlier proposal to acquire Greenland toward a security-focused arrangement that leaves the territory under Danish sovereignty while giving the United States expanded and potentially permanent military access. The full text of the agreement will be important in determining the precise scope of Washington’s rights and obligations under the arrangement.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United States and China opened high-level economic talks in New York on Sunday, with artificial intelligence, trade, tariffs and critical minerals on the agenda as Washington and Beijing prepare for a summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng are meeting at JPMorgan Chase’s headquarters in Manhattan, alongside U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The talks were scheduled to begin at about 10:30 a.m. ET and were expected to continue throughout the day. The discussions are intended to prepare potential agreements and reduce outstanding differences ahead of the Trump-Xi summit scheduled for Sept. 24 in Washington.

Trade truce and tariffs

A central issue is the status of the current U.S.-China trade truce, which is scheduled to expire on Nov. 10. Officials are expected to discuss tariffs on non-strategic goods, market access and China’s commitments to increase purchases of U.S. agricultural products. Issues left unresolved from Trump’s May meeting with Xi in Beijing are also expected to remain part of the negotiations. The talks come as both countries seek to manage a trade relationship that has significant implications for global markets and supply chains.

Critical minerals and rare-earth supplies

Critical minerals and Chinese rare-earth magnets are another major issue in the New York discussions. The United States has raised concerns about the flow of rare-earth magnets and other critical materials needed for advanced manufacturing and technology industries. Rare earths are particularly important to the production of components used in electronics and advanced semiconductor technologies. Washington is seeking greater reliability in these supply chains as the two countries negotiate broader economic arrangements.

AI takes center stage

Artificial intelligence is emerging as a new area of U.S.-China economic and strategic competition. Bessent said the discussions are expected to cover both open-weight and closed-weight AI models. Open-weight systems make key elements of an AI model available to users, allowing them to download and modify the technology for specific applications.

U.S. officials are also interested in potential safeguards, or “guard rails,” to address shared risks associated with increasingly powerful AI systems. Reuters reported that the talks come amid concerns about security breaches involving AI models.

The United States and China are among the world’s leading developers and users of advanced artificial intelligence, making cooperation and competition over the technology an increasingly important part of their broader relationship.

Ahead of Trump-Xi summit

The New York meetings are taking place just days before Trump and Xi are scheduled to meet in Washington. Several issues from previous negotiations remain unresolved, including tariffs, agricultural purchases, rare-earth supplies and technology-related concerns. Reuters reported that analysts expect the two sides to focus on limited steps that could help prevent further escalation rather than seeking an immediate comprehensive agreement.

The outcome of the New York discussions could therefore help shape the agenda for the leaders’ upcoming meeting, while providing an indication of whether Washington and Beijing can maintain their current trade truce and expand cooperation in selected areas. The talks are also taking place as New York prepares to host world leaders for the United Nations General Assembly’s high-level week, bringing increased diplomatic activity to the city.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York: World leaders are converging on New York as the United Nations prepares for the high-level week of its 81st General Assembly, with wars, global security, artificial intelligence, climate change and the future of multilateral cooperation expected to dominate discussions. The high-level segment of the 81st session will take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York beginning September 22, with the General Debate continuing through September 26 and September 28. Nearly 130 heads of state and government are expected to participate in the annual gathering, according to current reporting.

The theme of this year’s General Assembly is “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.” The 81st session officially opened on September 8. The gathering comes at a time of heightened international tensions, with the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, global energy and food-security concerns, and the rapid development of artificial intelligence among the major issues facing governments.

The Middle East is expected to feature prominently in diplomatic discussions. The Ukraine war will also remain a major international issue, while leaders are expected to discuss humanitarian concerns and the broader challenges facing the international system. Reuters reported that the UN is also facing financial pressures and questions about its role in responding to major global crises.

AI emerges as a major global issue

Artificial intelligence is expected to receive significant attention during this year’s UN meetings. UN officials and governments are examining how the international community can establish appropriate rules and cooperation mechanisms as AI technology develops rapidly.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is also scheduled to brief the UN Security Council during the General Assembly week at an open session focused on artificial intelligence and international security. The meeting is expected to address both the opportunities and security risks associated with rapidly advancing AI technologies.

Climate, sea-level rise and pandemic preparedness

The General Assembly’s formal program includes several high-level meetings dealing with major global challenges. A high-level meeting on the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development is scheduled for September 23. On September 24, world leaders will address the existential threats posed by sea-level rise, while September 25 will focus on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. A meeting commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action is scheduled for September 28.

Climate change and sustainable development are also expected to feature prominently throughout the week as governments discuss efforts to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.

Diplomatic meetings beyond the General Debate

The UN General Assembly week traditionally provides an opportunity for leaders to hold numerous bilateral and multilateral meetings on the sidelines of the formal sessions. The European Union, for example, is planning several meetings and initiatives during the week, including a Partners for Multilateralism, International Law, Peace and Prosperity Summit on September 21, co-hosted by the European Council, Canada and Kenya.

The annual gathering is therefore expected to turn New York into the center of international diplomacy, with leaders using the week not only to address the General Assembly but also to negotiate and discuss issues affecting global peace, security, development and international cooperation.

With conflicts continuing in several regions and governments facing new challenges from technology, climate change and economic pressures, the 81st General Assembly is set to become one of the year’s most closely watched international diplomatic gatherings.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC — U.S. President Donald Trump is set to personally welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews when Xi arrives in the Washington area next week for a high-profile state visit, in a rare protocol gesture by a U.S. president.

Xi is expected to arrive on Wednesday, September 23, ahead of talks with Trump at the White House on September 24. Trump’s decision to greet Xi at the airport marks a departure from the usual practice of receiving visiting foreign leaders at the White House.

The visit will include a formal arrival ceremony at the White House, a military review in the Rose Garden and a state dinner hosted by Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. Senior U.S. officials said a number of leading technology executives are expected to attend the dinner.

Trade, rare-earth supplies and artificial intelligence are expected to be among the major issues discussed by the two leaders. The summit comes as Washington and Beijing continue efforts to manage tensions over trade and technology while seeking greater stability in their bilateral relationship.

The upcoming meeting will be the second face-to-face encounter between Trump and Xi this year, following Trump’s visit to Beijing in May. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng is also scheduled to hold preparatory economic and trade talks with U.S. officials ahead of the summit.

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia issued emergency alerts in Riyadh and the nearby city of Al-Kharj early Saturday, warning residents of a potential aerial threat amid escalating attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement. Saudi Civil Defence later issued an all-clear, saying the immediate danger had passed. A Reuters journalist in Riyadh reported hearing loud booms after the alerts were issued.

The alerts were the first reported in the Saudi capital since the latest escalation in fighting involving the Houthis. The warnings came hours after Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out what he described as “criminal attempts” in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and vowed retaliation. A large plume of black smoke and flames was later seen near Riyadh’s main airport. Reuters said the cause of the smoke was not immediately clear, and Saudi government officials had not immediately commented.

The latest developments come amid a sharp escalation in Houthi attacks targeting Saudi territory and infrastructure. The Houthis have intensified their military activity in the region since declaring a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in July, according to Reuters.

Saudi Arabia has also issued security alerts in several other parts of the kingdom in recent days, including Jeddah, Taif, Khamis Mushait and AlUla. Earlier this week, Saudi authorities said they intercepted a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered the city’s restricted airspace. The Houthis denied targeting Mecca or other Islamic holy sites. The escalation has raised concerns over regional security, energy infrastructure and international shipping, particularly as the Houthis control territory along parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York: Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit to the United States to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly has been shortened. At the same time, a large civic reception planned in his honor in New York will no longer take place, according to multiple sources.

Under the initial itinerary, Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman was scheduled to arrive in New York on September 21, remain in the city for several days and then travel to San Francisco, California, on September 26. During his stay in New York, he was scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on September 24. BNP leaders and activists in the United States were also preparing for a civic reception planned for September 25.

Several reports published earlier this month said preparations were underway for the reception at the Marriott Marquis hotel in Manhattan. However, Tarique Rahman’s US itinerary was subsequently revised. According to the latest reports, he is scheduled to arrive in New York on the evening of September 21 and return to Bangladesh on September 25. As a result, the large reception previously planned for September 25 will not be held in his presence.

Four-Day New York Visit

Citing Press Secretary Saleh Shibli, reports said Tarique Rahman will take part in various programs in New York from September 22 to 25. He is scheduled to deliver Bangladesh’s statement at the UN General Assembly on September 24 before returning home on September 25.

Earlier plans had reportedly included a longer stay in the United States, with Tarique Rahman expected to remain in the country until September 29 or 30 and visit San Francisco. The San Francisco leg has since been dropped as the overall trip was shortened.

Reports citing relevant sources said reducing state expenditure and managing the schedule were among the considerations behind the decision to shorten the visit.

Why Was the Reception Cancelled?

Several explanations have appeared in media reports regarding the cancellation of the reception. One of the key points reported is that Tarique Rahman was not interested in attending a large civic reception financed with government funds.

A report by a Bangladeshi national daily, citing Gias Ahmed, former senior vice-president of BNP USA, said discussions had taken place regarding a reception organized by the Bangladesh Consulate in New York. According to Ahmed, Tarique Rahman did not want such an event to be financed with public funds. Party leaders subsequently proposed arranging the event through their own funding.

Meanwhile, other reports said preparations had been underway for a party-organized event at the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan on September 25. Since Tarique Rahman is now scheduled to return to Bangladesh that day, the reception cannot be held in his presence.

Claim of Tk 500 Million in Savings

Some reports have claimed that cancelling the reception will save approximately Tk 50 million ($5 crore). However, the figure has not been consistently confirmed across media reports.

While some reports have cited savings of around Tk 50 million, another report put the estimated cost of the proposed government reception at approximately $250,000. There have also been claims that a party-funded event could have involved additional expenses.

Therefore, the claim that the cancellation will result in an exact saving of Tk 50 million should not be presented as confirmed government information. What can be stated more cautiously is that reducing state expenditure has been cited in several reports as one of the considerations behind shortening the prime minister’s US visit. Reports have also indicated that he does not want a large reception funded by public money.

Possibility of a Party Welcome

While a large civic reception financed or organized through government arrangements is reportedly no longer going ahead, some BNP leaders in the United States have expressed interest in welcoming the prime minister through party or privately funded initiatives.

Citing Gias Ahmed, reports said the previously planned reception cannot take place in Tarique Rahman’s presence because he is scheduled to leave for Bangladesh on September 25. Ahmed also indicated that there could be an opportunity for Tarique Rahman to meet local BNP leaders that day.

The clearest information at this stage is that the large-scale formal civic reception planned in New York is not going ahead in the presence of Tarique Rahman. This does not necessarily mean that all party or diaspora activities surrounding his visit have been cancelled.

Main Focus of the US Visit

The primary purpose of Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s US visit is to represent Bangladesh at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. According to the latest reports, he will arrive in New York on September 21 and participate in a number of high-level programs. He is scheduled to address the General Assembly on September 24.

In addition to the UN General Assembly, meetings with heads of government and other international representatives have also been reported as possible components of his itinerary. However, the full list and schedule of such meetings have not yet been finalized, according to reports citing the prime minister’s press secretary.

Overall, Tarique Rahman’s upcoming US visit is significantly shorter than initially planned. His main activities in New York will center on the UN General Assembly, while the cancellation of the planned large civic reception has generated discussion among Bangladeshis living in the United States.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Russia and China on Thursday vetoed a U.S.-drafted United Nations Security Council resolution that sought to extend the mandate of a panel of experts monitoring international sanctions on Iran. The resolution received 11 votes in favor, while Pakistan and Somalia abstained. The Russian and Chinese vetoes blocked its adoption.

The proposed resolution would have extended the mandate of the independent panel of experts for another year. The panel was established to monitor implementation of sanctions imposed on Iran and report possible violations to the 15-member Security Council.

The vote comes amid a wider dispute over the legal status of UN sanctions on Iran. Western countries, including Britain, France and Germany, triggered the “snapback” mechanism under the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement in 2025, arguing that Tehran had violated its nuclear commitments. The move resulted in the reimposition of UN sanctions.

Russia and China reject the Western interpretation and argue that the UN sanctions had expired when Security Council Resolution 2231 reached its scheduled end date in October 2025. Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said the U.S.-backed resolution lacked a legal basis and urged the parties to resolve the nuclear dispute through political and diplomatic means.

The United States criticized the vetoes, saying the absence of an independent panel would create a gap in monitoring sanctions violations. U.S. Deputy Ambassador Jennifer Locetta said the panel provided impartial, evidence-based reporting on potential violations.

France and other Western members also criticized the veto, while stressing that the veto does not itself remove the sanctions that they consider to remain in force. The dispute has also left the Security Council divided over how to monitor Iran’s nuclear-related activities and enforce sanctions. The UN sanctions include measures affecting Iranian assets, arms-related transactions and ballistic-missile activities.

The latest vote highlights continuing divisions among the permanent members of the Security Council over Iran’s nuclear program, the validity of the sanctions and the role of international monitoring.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC — The United States has imposed new sanctions on an Iranian digital asset network accused of helping the Iranian regime evade sanctions and move funds through cryptocurrency. The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced the measures on September 17 as part of Operation Economic Outcast, a broader U.S. campaign targeting Iran’s financial networks and sources of revenue.

The sanctions target BitBank, an Iranian digital asset exchange controlled by Iranian financier Babak Zanjani, along with its developer, Pishtaz Simorgh Electronic Trade Company. Three individuals associated with Zanjani—Hossein Ali Zaker Hossein, Mohammad Mahdi Zaker Hossein, and Seyed Adel Heidari—were also designated.

According to the Treasury Department, the targeted entities and individuals form part of an Iranian digital asset-based sanctions-evasion infrastructure. U.S. officials said BitBank has been used to transfer payments received by the Iranian regime and that the broader network was involved in laundering funds and transferring hundreds of millions of dollars in Bitcoin to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the action demonstrates that cryptocurrency-based financing linked to the Iranian regime remains within the reach of U.S. sanctions authorities.

The latest measures were issued under Executive Order 13902, which authorizes sanctions targeting certain sectors of Iran’s economy, including its digital asset sector. Treasury said the expanded use of the authority is intended to disrupt Iran’s efforts to use digital assets to circumvent U.S. sanctions.

The action is part of Operation Economic Outcast, launched by the Treasury Department on August 24, 2026. The campaign focuses on financial networks, facilitators and channels that U.S. authorities say Iran uses to generate revenue, evade sanctions and finance activities linked to the regime.

Treasury has warned that entities involved in money laundering or sanctions evasion on behalf of Iran could face restrictions on access to the U.S. financial system. The department has also increased the potential exposure to secondary sanctions for foreign entities that continue certain business dealings with Iran.

The latest action follows a series of U.S. sanctions targeting Iranian financial and economic networks, including measures against foreign banks and other entities accused of facilitating Iran’s access to international financial channels.

BEIJING — China has urged the United States to halt its military buildup in outer space, warning that the deployment of weapons in orbit could trigger a global arms race and increase strategic tensions.

The warning followed comments from U.S. officials acknowledging that the United States has weapons deployed in orbit. U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the weapons are intended to help defend against hostile actions involving space. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing opposes the weaponization of outer space and called on Washington to stop expanding its military capabilities there.

“China stands for peaceful use of outer space and keeping it safe, and opposes any arms race in outer space,” Guo said at a Foreign Ministry briefing on September 15. He urged the United States to maintain global strategic stability through concrete actions.

Chinese state media and military analysts have also warned that the expansion of U.S. military capabilities in orbit could encourage other countries to develop counter-space weapons, potentially creating a cycle of competition and increasing the risk of conflict in space.

The issue highlights growing international concerns over the military use of space. Russia has separately called for efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space, arguing that a legally binding agreement could help restrict offensive weapons in orbit.

The United States and China are already competing across several strategic areas, including advanced technology, artificial intelligence and military capabilities. The latest dispute adds space security to the growing list of issues affecting relations between the two powers.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United States has paid $725 million to the United Nations, reducing its outstanding financial obligations to the world body and ensuring that Washington retains its voting rights in the UN General Assembly. The payment comes just days before world leaders are due to gather in New York for the annual General Assembly session.

The United Nations said the United States transferred $725 million for the organization’s regular budget on Tuesday. Washington also paid an additional $102 million toward UN peacekeeping operations on Friday. Despite the latest payments, the United States still owes approximately $1.312 billion to the UN regular budget, according to UN spokesperson Farhan Haq.

The payment also removes the immediate risk that the United States could lose its voting rights under Article 19 of the UN Charter. The provision says a member state can lose its vote in the General Assembly when its arrears reach or exceed the amount of contributions due for the preceding two full years, although the General Assembly can grant an exception in certain circumstances.

The United States is the largest contributor to the UN budget, but the Trump administration has criticized the organization and reduced or delayed funding to various UN agencies. Washington has also pushed for reforms and cost reductions across the UN system.

The latest payment comes as the United Nations faces continuing financial pressure and implements its “UN80” reform and cost-cutting initiative. China, the UN’s second-largest contributor, paid $641.4 million toward its regular budget contribution earlier this month, according to UN figures cited by Reuters. The U.S. payment means Washington will retain its vote as the 2026 UN General Assembly prepares to convene in New York next week, while the broader dispute over U.S. funding and UN reforms remains unresolved.